Howcast

How to Tie a Square Knot Properly

Howcast — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:01:27 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Hold each end Hold one end of a rope in your right hand and one end in your left to prepare to tie the knot.
Step 2: Loop right over left Loop the right end over the left end all the way around.
Step 3: Loop left over right Loop the left end, formerly the right end, over the right end all the way around.
Step 4: Pull on four strands Pull on all four strands at the same time that extend from the knot created. This should tighten the knot into place, resulting in a proper square knot.
FACT: Rope-making technology used by Ancient Egyptians in 2500 B.C.E. is still practiced today.

You Will Need

Two pieces of rope or one rope with two free ends

How to Tie a Clove Hitch Knot

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:38:53 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Loop counterclockwise Loop the end of the rope counterclockwise around the object you are hitching to (let’s say a pole) and cross it over the remaining length of rope.
Step 2: Make another loop Make another counterclockwise loop around the pole, but this time pass the end of the rope through the loop you’ve just formed (between the now two strands of rope looping around the pole).
Step 3: Tighten knot Pull at both ends to tighten the knot.
FACT: A hitch is a knot that is tied to an object; a lashing knot ties two objects together.

You Will Need

A single length of rope
Something to hitch to
such as a post
pole
or ring

How to Tie a Fisherman’s Knot

Howcast — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:51:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Grab ends Grab a hold of both ends of the rope. The end in your left hand is end B, and the end in your right hand is end A.
Step 2: Cross ends Cross end B in front of end A so that the end B is behind the loop and pointing down.
Step 3: Pull end B through loop Pull end B up through the loop and to the left, thus creating a small loop on top of the larger loop below.
Step 4: Pull end B through small loop Pull end B through the small loop from back to front with your right hand.
Step 5: Tighten knot Tighten the knot by pulling end B with your right hand, while holding the part of the large loop next to end A in your left hand. You should now have a knot on the top of your large loop, and end A should be able to slide back and forth to make the loop larger or smaller.
Step 6: Pull end A through large loop Pull end A through the large loop from behind, pull it up, thus creating another small loop on top of the larger loop below.
Step 7: Pull end A through small loop Pull end A through the small loop from back to front, and pull tightly with your left hand.
FACT: A knot also means “1 nautical mile per hour” — sailors used to throw knotted lines overboard and count how many knots fed out per 30 seconds to measure the speed of their vessels.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Two Half Hitch Knot

Howcast — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:51:31 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Pass end through ring Pass the end of the rope up through the ring from below.
Step 2: Pass behind standing part Pass it behind the remaining end—or ‘standing part’—of the rope.
Step 3: Pass end through loop Bring the end back up and pass it through the eye of the loop you’ve just formed.
Step 4: Pull tight Pull it tight to complete a Half Hitch.
Step 5: Pass end through standing part Pass the end of the rope behind the standing part again.
Step 6: Bring through 2nd loop & tighten Bring it back up and through this second loop you’ve just formed (making a second Half Hitch) and tighten.
FACT: “The unconscious can only be expressed in knots of language.” Jacques Lacan (1901-1981)

You Will Need

A single length of rope
Something to hitch to
such as a post
pole
or ring

How to Tie the Handcuff Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:59:17 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
Step 2: Make second loop Take the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” and cross it over again, making a second loop to the right of the first loop.
Step 3: Stack edges Stack the left edge of the first loop to sit on top of the right edge of the second loop.
Step 4: Pull edges through loops Simultaneously pull the right edge of the first loop through the second loop while pulling the left edge of the second loop through the first loop.
TIP: The size of the loops can be adjusted by gently pulling them larger or smaller.
Step 5: Tighten To tighten pull on both loops.
FACT: Also known as a Hobble Knot, cowboys would tie this around the legs of their horses or cattle to keep them from wandering too far during the night.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Noose Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:58:57 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make loop Make a loop by crossing one end of the rope—or “working end”—over the remaining rope—or “standing end.”
Step 2: Form smaller loop Pass the working end horizontally behind the loop, forming a smaller loop at the base of the larger loop.
Step 3: Poke end through small loop Bring the working end around the front and poke it down through the smaller loop.
Step 4: Tighten knot Pull the working end to tighten the knot, creating an adjustable loop. You’re ready to snare.
FACT: The word “noose” is believed to originate from the Old French word nous, meaning “knots.”

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie an Overhand Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:58:55 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
Step 2: Tuck end through loop Tuck the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” up through the loop from behind.
Step 3: Tighten Pull the rope at both ends to tighten.
FACT: The easiest stopper knot to tie, the Overhand is used to keep a rope from slipping out of a hole through which it has been threaded.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Manharness Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:58:52 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
TIP: Be sure to give your “Q” a very long tail—you’ll need some extra length to complete the knot.
Step 2: Pass end through loop Take the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” and pass it horizontally behind both legs of the loop.
Step 3: Pull bottom left edge over top edge Reach down behind the horizontal and pull the bottom left edge of the Q up behind it, then over the top edge of the “Q.”
Step 4: Tighten knot Pull up on the loop you just created until the knot has tightened, and whether you’re a man or woman, consider yourself harnessed.
FACT: Soldiers often use this knot to drag gun carriages from battle to battle, earning it another name: the Artillery Loop.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Half Hitch Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:58:32 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Pass end of rope Pass the end of the rope up through the ring from below.
Step 2: Bring behind other end Bring it down and behind the remaining end—or “standing part”—of the rope.
Step 3: Pass end through loop Bring the end back up and pass it through the eye of the loop you’ve just formed.
Step 4: Tighten Pull it tight to complete the Half Hitch.
FACT: The Half Hitch is basically an Overhand Knot tied around an object.

You Will Need

A single length of rope
Something to hitch to
such as a post
pole
or ring

How to Tie the Sheet Bend Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:57:55 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Form bend Fold one end of the thicker rope back on itself to form a bend (or “bight”) that looks like an “U” shaped, tipped on its left side.
Step 2: Slip thin rope through bight Slip one end of the thinner rope through the bight from behind.
Step 3: Wrap thin rope around arms Now wrap the end of the thinner rope around both arms of the bight, crossing over the short arm first (and staying below the trailing end of thin rope).
Step 4: Pass thin rope Bringing the end of the thinner rope around to the front, pass it between itself and the short arm.
Step 5: Tighten knot Tighten the knot by pulling both ends of the thinner rope.
FACT: The Sheet Bend is the primary knot used in the making of nets.

You Will Need

A length of thick rope
A length of thin rope

How to Tie a Hangman’s Noose Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:57:47 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Create bight Create a large “U”-shaped bend—or “bight” tipped on its left side—with the end of the rope.
TIP: This knot requires a minimum of seven turns, so leave plenty of rope after your bight to work with.
Step 2: Create another bight Create another bight at the end of the first one bending back in the opposite direction. The rope should look like an “S,” with all three legs parallel to each other.
Step 3: Wrap end over legs Put the end of the rope under all three legs, and then wrap the end over the three legs. This is considered one “turn.”
Step 4: Continue wrapping Continue wrapping the end of the rope around all three legs (coiling it upwards) at least six more times, tightening each turn one by one as you make it.
TIP: You can make more than seven turns, but always use an odd number so you can finish off the knot properly.
Step 5: Finish turns When you’re done making your turns, there should be a little bit of rope left over at the end, and the top of the second bight should be just poking out above the topmost turn, forming a loop.
Step 6: Pass end through loop Pass the very end of the rope through this loop from front to back.
Step 7: Tighten To tighten, pull down on the right-hand edge of the noose created by the first bight.
FACT: Being a hangman or executioner used to be a family profession in France.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Cow Hitch Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:57:02 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Wrap rope Wrap the end of the rope around the ring or post, from back to front.
Step 2: Pass end under Pass the end under the remaining rope and bring it straight up.
Step 3: Wrap rope again Wrap the end around the ring or post again, this time front to back.
Step 4: Pull end through loop Pull the end straight down through the loop you’ve just created.
Step 5: Tighten knot Pull the remaining rope to tighten the knot.
FACT: Also known as the Lanyard Hitch, this knot requires tension on both ends to work—hence the horse or cow.

You Will Need

A single length of rope
Something to hitch to
such as a post
pole
or ring

How to Tie a Retraced Figure Eight Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:56:49 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape. Be sure to give your “Q” a very long tail—you’ll need some extra length to complete the knot.
Step 2: Twist loop Pinch the top of the loop and twist it around once, away from the tail of your “Q.”
Step 3: Pull end through loop Pull the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” up through the upper loop from behind.
Step 4: Loosely tighten Loosely tighten the knot by pulling both ends of the rope, forming a figure 8.
Step 5: Retrace end Take the end and retrace it back on itself, following the pattern of the existing figure 8, and leaving a loop at the end.
TIP: The finished knot should be as compact as possible, rather than flat, so “dress,” or adjust the knot accordingly.
Step 6: Tighten knot Tighten the knot by pulling at both ends.
FACT: The first World Championship Figure-8 endurance race was held in 1977—the winner ran 253 figure-8 laps in three hours.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:56:46 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
Step 2: Thread tail Pass a short portion of the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” through the loop from behind (and back along the remaining rope). Thread it loosely, leaving behind a new large, loose loop to the right of your “Q.”
Step 3: Pass short portion Pass the short portion of the end around the back of the remaining rope.
Step 4: Pass short portion again Bring the short portion of the end back up and once again pass it through the small loop (your initial “Q”), this time from the front.
Step 5: Cinch knot closed Cinch the knot closed, and use the resulting loop to secure your bow.
FACT: The Bowline is also called the King of Knots—a version of it exists in every sea-faring culture in the world.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Figure Eight Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:56:28 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
Step 2: Twist top around Pinch the top of the loop and twist it around once, away from the tail of your “Q.”
Step 3: Pull end through loop Pull the end of the rope, or the tail of the “Q,” up through the upper loop from behind.
Step 4: Tighten Pull the rope at both ends to tighten, forming a figure eight.
FACT: The Figure Eight is the basis for several more complicated rock climbing knots, like the Figure Eight Bend and the Retraced Figure Eight.

You Will Need

A single length of rope

How to Tie a Taut Line Hitch Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:56:21 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make “Q” shape Cross the end of the rope around the pole, and over the top of the remaining rope, making a “Q” shape.
TIP: Be sure to give your “Q” a very long tail—you’ll need some extra length to complete the knot.
Step 2: Repeat Do the same thing again, passing the end through the loop a second time in the same direction.
Step 3: Pull end down Pull the end down parallel alongside the remaining rope.
Step 4: Make another “Q” Make another “Q,” but this time cross the end behind the long stretch of remaining rope.
Step 5: Pass end through lower loop Pull the end up and pass it through the lower loop, this time from the front.
Step 6: Pull end tight Pull the end tight. The remaining loop should slide easily up and down the line. Happy camping!
FACT: The Taut Line knot has been a staple of the official Boy Scout Handbook since 1910.

You Will Need

A single length of rope
A pole

How to Tie a Reef Knot

Howcast — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:56:16 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Hold rope Hold one end of the rope in your left hand and the other end in your right hand.
Step 2: Cross ends Cross the end of the rope in your left hand over the end in your right hand to form an “X.”
Step 3: Entwine ends Bring the end of rope in your left hand down behind the end in your right hand, then back up, so that the two ends are entwined—the left-hand rope is now in your right hand and vice-versa.
Step 4: Form another “X” Use your right hand to pass the same end back over the end now in your left hand, forming another “X.”
Step 5: Pull end through loop Bring that end down behind the other end again, and continue pulling it through the loop that forms.
TIP: This knot can also be tied using two separate ropes, joining them in a “hitch.”
Step 6: Pull ends Pull the two ends to a symmetrical length, and you’ve got a perfect square Reef Knot on your hands.
FACT: A helpful mnemonic device to tie this knot: Left over right, right over left.

You Will Need

A single length of rope
A second length of rope (optional)